SHALE SHAKERS AND RELATED METHODS
A shale shaker for separating formation cuttings from a drilling fluid includes a basket and a screen deck positioned within the basket. The screen deck includes a plurality of screens positioned on a plurality of screen supports, such that each screen is positioned on a corresponding one of the plurality of screen supports. Each screen includes a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, and a mounting bracket positioned along the bottom side. The mounting bracket includes a pair of parallel first support members and a clamping bar coupled to and extending between the pair of first support members. Each screen support includes a pair of parallel second support members and a latch assembly including a hook assembly positioned between the pair of second support members. The hook assembly is configured to engage with the clamping bar to secure the screen to the screen support.
Latest National Oilwell Varco, L.P. Patents:
The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/342,387 filed May 16, 2022, and entitled “Shale Shakers and Related Methods”, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot applicable.
BACKGROUNDThe formation of a subterranean wellbore to access minerals or other resources (e.g., oil, gas, water, etc.) typically involves attaching a drill bit to the end of a drill string and rotating the drill string and the drill bit while engaging the rotating drill bit with subterranean formation. With weight applied to the drill string, the rotating drill bit forms a wellbore (or borehole) within the subterranean formation along a predetermined path toward a target zone.
During the drilling process, drilling fluid is pumped through the drill string and directed out of the face of the drill bit so as to perform several functions. For instance, the drilling fluid may flow formation cuttings (e.g., rock chips) away from the cutting structure of the drill bit and the bottom of the wellbore and toward the surface.
SUMMARYSome embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a shale shaker for separating formation cuttings from a drilling fluid. In some embodiments, the shale shaker includes a basket and a screen deck positioned within the basket. The screen deck comprises a plurality of screens positioned on a plurality of screen supports, such that each screen is positioned on a corresponding one of the plurality of screen supports. Each screen includes a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, and a mounting bracket positioned along the bottom side. The mounting bracket comprises a pair of parallel first support members and a clamping bar coupled to and extending between the pair of first support members. Each screen support includes a pair of parallel second support members and a latch assembly including a hook assembly positioned between the pair of second support members. The hook assembly is configured to engage with the clamping bar to secure the screen to the screen support.
Some embodiments disclosed herein a directed to a screen deck for a shale shaker. In some embodiments, the screen deck includes a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, a screen member including a plurality of openings on the top side, and a clamping bar coupled to the bottom side. In addition, the screen deck includes a screen support including a plurality of first support members and a latch assembly including a hook assembly. The bottom side of the screen is configured to engage with the plurality of first support members of the screen support, and the hook assembly is configured to engage with the clamping bar to pull the screen onto the screen support.
Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a shale shaker for separating formation cuttings from a drilling fluid. In some embodiments, the shale shaker includes a basket including a trough, a screen positioned within the trough, the screen including a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side, and a clamping bar coupled to the bottom side of the screen. In addition, the shale shaker includes a latch assembly including a hook assembly that is configured to engage the clamping bar to secure the screen with in the trough of the basket.
Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a screen for a shale shaker. In some embodiments, the screen includes a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side. In addition, the screen includes a screen member including a plurality of openings on the top side. Further, the screen includes a mounting bracket positioned along the bottom side. The mounting bracket comprises a pair of parallel first support members and a clamping bar coupled to and extending between the pair of first support members.
Embodiments described herein comprise a combination of features and characteristics intended to address various shortcomings associated with certain prior devices, systems, and methods. The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical characteristics of the disclosed embodiments in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. The various characteristics and features described above, as well as others, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description, and by referring to the accompanying drawings. It should be appreciated that the conception and the specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes as the disclosed embodiments. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the principles disclosed herein.
For a detailed description of various exemplary embodiments, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:
As previously described, when drilling a subterranean wellbore, drilling fluid may be emitted from the drill bit to sweep or flow formation cuttings away from the drill bit and out of the wellbore, among other things. Thus, during drilling operations, drilling fluid with formation cuttings suspended therein may be emitted from the wellbore at the surface. Ultimately, the drilling fluid is recirculated into the wellbore to further support the drilling operation as described above. However, before the drilling fluid can be recirculated into the subterranean wellbore, the formation cuttings may first be filtered or otherwise removed from the drilling fluid.
Thus, upon exiting the subterranean wellbore, the drilling fluid may be routed through a shaker that is configured to separate formation cuttings from the drilling fluid before the drilling fluid is recirculated back into the subterranean wellbore. Such a shaker may be referred to as a so-called “shale shaker.” The shale shaker may include one or more screens that capture formation cuttings, while allowing the drilling fluid to proceed therethrough. Typically, the screens of a shale shaker may be secured using one or more attachment systems that compress the screens from above on a suitable support frame or member. However, such attachment mechanisms may complicate screen installation and withdrawal from the shale shaker (e.g., during construction, deconstruction, maintenance, etc.) by creating an obstruction that may limit the direction of screen insertion or withdrawal, particularly from above.
To address the foregoing, embodiments disclosed herein include shale shakers having screens that may be secured via latch assemblies that are positioned below the screen, so as to allow for screen insertion into or withdrawal in a vertical direction. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein may simplify and/or enhance the construction, deconstruction, and/or maintenance of the screens of a shale shaker.
Referring now to
Drill string 20 may include a first or uphole end 20a that is positioned at or near the surface 5 and a second or downhole end 20b that is inserted within the wellbore 12. The drill string 20 may comprise a plurality of tubular members (e.g., pipes) that are coupled (e.g., threadably coupled) end-to-end between the ends 20a, 20b.
A drill bit 30 is coupled to the downhole end 20b of the drill string 20. The drill bit 30 may comprise a cutting structure (not shown) that may engage with the formation to form the wellbore 12 during operations as described in more detail below. The drill bit 30 may comprise any suitable drill bit, such as, for instance a fixed cutter drill bit (or drag bit), rolling cone drill bit, coring bit, etc. Thus, the precise cutting structure (not shown) of drill bit 30 may be varied and is ultimately determined based on a variety of factors, such as, the type of rock in formation 14, the length or direction of wellbore 12, etc.
During operations, drill bit 30 drill string 20 may be rotated via the surface equipment 50 while weight is applied to drill bit 30 so that the rotating drill bit 30 engages with formation 14 to lengthen wellbore 12. In some embodiments, the drill bit 30 may be rotated by a suitable motor (e.g., a mud-motor) that is coupled to the drill string 20 and positioned within wellbore 12. Regardless of the method for rotating drill bit 30, as the rotating drill bit 30 engages with formation 14, drilling fluid 40 (e.g., drilling mud) is flowed through drill string 20 and out of the drill bit 30 (e.g., particularly out of the cutting structure on the end of the drill bit). The drilling fluid 40 is then directed back toward the surface 5 along the outside of drill string 20 and, at a certain depth, through an annulus 19 defined between the drill string 20 and the casing pipe 18 (or within a tubular or annulus defined by one or more nested tubulars that are inserted within wellbore 12).
As previously described above, the drilling fluid 40 emitted from the wellbore 12 via the surface equipment 50 may include formation cuttings, such as rock chips, from the subterranean formation 14. Thus, after flowing out of the wellbore 12, the drilling fluid 40 is flowed through a shale shaker 100 (or a plurality of shale shakers 100) that is configured to remove the formation cuttings. The shale shaker 100 may be more simply referred to herein as a “shaker 100.” Thereafter, the filtered drilling fluid 40 may then be flowed into a reservoir 70 (e.g., tank, pit, container, etc.). A pump 60 may receive a flow of drilling fluid 40 from the reservoir 70 and may pressurize the drilling fluid 40 for injection back into the drill string 20 and wellbore 12 via surface equipment 50 as previously described.
Referring now to
Basket 112 includes a first end 112a and a second end 112b opposite first end 112a. A hopper 102 is positioned at the first end 112a that is configured to receive a flow of drilling fluid (e.g., drilling fluid 40 in
A screen deck 104 is inserted within the trough 115 that extends between the side walls 113, from hopper 102 to second end 112b. The screen deck 104 includes a plurality of screens 150 that are secured to a plurality of screen supports (not specifically shown in
In addition, shaker 100 has an excitation assembly 106 including one or more masses 107 that are reciprocally movable along an excitation shaft 108 to induce the basket 112 to vibrate and shake relative to base 110 via the vibration isolation assemblies 114 as noted above. As a result, the screen deck 104 may vibrate and shake along with the basket 112 during operations so that formation cuttings that are positioned on top of screens 150 may progress along screen deck 104 to the second end 112b where the cuttings are removed from shaker 100. Thus, the first end 112a may define an inlet (or inlet end) for the shaker 100, and the second end 112b may define an outlet (or outlet end) for the shaker 100.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The perimeter 155 includes a pair of parallel first members 154 and a pair of parallel second members 156 extending between the first members 154. The first members 154 extend axially with respect to second axis 159 and radially with respect to first axis 157, and the second members 156 extend axially with respect to first axis 157 and radially with respect to second axis 159. Thus, the first members 154 extend perpendicularly to second members 156. The first members 154 and second members 156 may be secured to one another (e.g., via welding, bolts, rivets, etc.) or may be formed of a one or more monolithic members that are bent or otherwise deformed to assume the rectangular perimeter 155. A screen member 152 is secured to the first members 154, 156 along the top side 150a. The screen member 152 may extend along or parallel to the plane defined by the axes 157, 159, and may comprise a grid of elongate rods or other members that define a plurality of holes 152a.
A plurality of mounting brackets 161 are coupled to and between the first members 154 along bottom side 150b of screen 150 and within the perimeter 155. Each mounting bracket 161 includes a pair of elongate support members 158 that are secured to (e.g., via welding, bolts, rivets, etc.) and extend perpendicularly between the first members 154. In addition, each mounting bracket 161 includes a clamping shaft or bar 160 that extends perpendicularly between the pair of support members 158. Thus, the support members 158 of each mounting bracket 161 extend parallel to the second members 156 of perimeter 155 and the first axis 159, and the clamping bar 160 of each mounting bracket 161 extends parallel to the first members 154 and the second axis 159. As shown in
Referring now to
The perimeter 175 includes a pair of parallel first members 174 and a pair of parallel second members 176 extending between the first members 174. The first members 174 extend axially with respect to second axis 179 and radially with respect to first axis 177, and the second members 176 extend axially with respect to first axis 177 and radially with respect to second axis 179. Thus, the first members 174 extend perpendicularly to second members 176. The first members 174 and second members 176 may be secured to one another (e.g., via welding, bolts, rivets, etc.) or may be formed of a one or more monolithic members that are bent or otherwise deformed to assume the rectangular perimeter 175.
A plurality of mounting assemblies 171 are coupled to and between the first members 174 along top side 170a of screen support 170 and within the perimeter 175. Each mounting assembly 171 includes a pair of support members 178 that are secured to (e.g., via welding, bolts, rivets, etc.) and extend perpendicularly between the pair of first members 174 within the perimeter 175. The support members 178 extend axially with respect to second axis 179 and radially with respect to first axis 177. In addition, a plurality of stiffening members 172 are secured to and extend perpendicularly to the pair of second members 176. The stiffening members 172 extend axially with respect to second axis 179 and radially with respect to first axis 177. Thus, the support members 178 may extend parallel to the pair of second members 176 and the stiffening members 172 may extend parallel to the pair of first members 174. The stiffening members 172 extend perpendicularly through the plurality of support members 178 so as to stiffen and support the support members 178 to prevent (or limit) deflection thereof during operations.
Referring still to
As best shown in
As shown in
Referring still to
The wear members 184, 186, 188 may comprise a compliant material, such as an elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the wear members 184, 186, 188 may comprise a metallic material, such as a metallic material that is softer than a material forming the screen 150 and screen support 170. The wear members 186, 188 may generally comprise elongate members that have a U-shaped cross-section (
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring again to
Referring now to
For instance, referring now to
A hook seat pin 224 is engaged to and axially positioned between the cams 212. The hook seat pin 224 may comprise a cylindrical member that is secured to one or both of the cams 212 (e.g., via threads, welding, etc.). The hook seat pin 224 may be parallel to and radially spaced or offset from the axis 205 and shaft segments 202a, 202b.
Referring now to
Referring again to
A wear boot 254 is engaged over hook 240 so as to cover the recess 250. As will be described in more detail below, the wear boot 254 is configured to prevent direct contact between the hook 240 and clamping bar 160 (
Referring now to
The latch assembly 200 may be transitioned to the locked position (
The previously described curvature of the second segment 246 may facilitate sliding contact with a topmost point or portion of the clamping bar 160 and the recess 250 (specifically second segment 246 or the portion of wear boot 254 that overlays second segment 246) as the hook assembly 210 is transitioned from the unlocked position (
As the latch assembly 200 transitions from the unlocked position (
Referring again to
Referring briefly to
Ratchet assembly 300 includes a mounting bracket 302 that is secured (e.g., via welding, bolts, rivets, etc.) to the side-wall 113 of basket 112 (
Referring still to
Referring now to
A handle assembly 320 is mounted to the shaft 202. In particular, handle assembly 320 includes a connector 322 and a handle 328 extending outward from connector 322. The connector 322 engages with the shaft 202 such that handle assembly 320 may rotate along with shaft 202 and gear 304 about axis 205 during operations. For instance, a key member 326 may be engaged between the connector 322 and shaft 202 that is to prevent connector 322 from rotating relative to shaft 202 (or vice versa) during operations. When connector 322 is engaged with shaft 202 in the manner described above (and shown in
During operations the shaft 202 and gear 304 (and thus also hook assemblies 210) may be rotated about axis 205 via the handle assembly 320 so as to transition the latch assemblies 200 between the unlocked position (
Referring now to
Initially, method 400 includes lowering a screen onto a screen support in a basket of a shale shaker at block 402. For instance, as shown in
Referring still to again to
Referring again to
Referring again to
In some particular embodiments, a screen for a shale shaker includes a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side; a screen member including a plurality of openings on the top side; and a mounting bracket positioned along the bottom side. The mounting bracket includes a pair of parallel first support members and a clamping bar coupled to and extending between the pair of first support members.
The pair of parallel first support members may include angled ends that project toward one another, and that are angled away from the top side.
The screen may also include an outer perimeter having a pair of first members, and a pair of second members that extend perpendicularly to the pair of first members. The pair of second members extend parallel to the pair of parallel first support members and the pair of first members extend parallel to the clamping bar. The pair of second members may include angled ends that angle toward the top side. Also, the angled ends of the pair of second members may project inward from the outer perimeter.
The embodiments disclosed herein include shakers having screens that may be secured via latch assemblies that are positioned below the screen such that they do not create an obstruction for vertical insertion or withdrawal of the screens during the operations. Accordingly, through use of the embodiments disclosed herein, construction, deconstruction, and maintenance of the screens of a shaker may be simplified and enhanced.
The discussion above is directed to various exemplary embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad application, and that the discussion of any embodiment is meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended to suggest that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, is limited to that embodiment.
The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and components herein may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in interest of clarity and conciseness.
In the discussion herein and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection of the two devices, or through an indirect connection that is established via other devices, components, nodes, and connections. In addition, as used herein, the terms “axial” and “axially” generally mean along or parallel to a given axis (e.g., central axis of a body or a port), while the terms “radial” and “radially” generally mean perpendicular to the given axis. For instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measured along or parallel to the axis, and a radial distance means a distance measured perpendicular to the axis. Further, when used herein (including in the claims), the words “about,” “generally,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like mean within a range of plus or minus 10%.
While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, modifications thereof can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or teachings herein. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and are not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the systems, apparatus, and processes described herein are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the steps in a method claim may be performed in any order. The recitation of identifiers such as (a), (b), (c) or (1), (2), (3) before steps in a method claim are not intended to and do not specify a particular order to the steps, but rather are used to simplify subsequent reference to such steps.
Claims
1. A shale shaker for separating formation cuttings from a drilling fluid, the shale shaker comprising:
- a basket; and
- a screen deck positioned within the basket, wherein the screen deck comprises a plurality of screens positioned on a plurality of screen supports, such that each screen is positioned on a corresponding one of the plurality of screen supports,
- wherein each screen includes a top side, a bottom side opposite the top side, and a mounting bracket positioned along the bottom side,
- wherein the mounting bracket comprises a pair of parallel first support members and a clamping bar coupled to and extending between the pair of first support members, and
- wherein each screen support comprises: a pair of parallel second support members; and a latch assembly including a hook assembly positioned between the pair of second support members, wherein the hook assembly is configured to engage with the clamping bar to secure the screen to the screen support.
2. The shale shaker of claim 1, wherein the pair of first support members each have angled ends that project away from one another,
- wherein the pair of second support members have angled ends that project toward one another, and
- wherein the angled ends of the pair of first support members are coupled to the angled ends of the pair of second support members.
3. The shale shaker of claim 2, wherein the angled ends of the pair of first support members are angled downward and the angled ends of the pair of second support members are angled upward.
4. The shale shaker of claim 3, wherein the hook assembly comprises:
- a body including a first end and a second end; and
- a hook positioned at the first end, wherein the hook comprises: a bend; a first segment extending to the bend; and a second segment extending from the bend to a terminal end, wherein the second segment curves away from the first end toward the second end.
5. The shale shaker of claim 4, wherein the latch assembly comprises:
- a shaft comprising a pair of segments coaxially aligned along a central axis;
- a pair of cams, wherein each of the pair of cams is coupled to an end of one of the pair of segments; and
- a hook seat pin extending between the pair of cams, wherein the hook seat pin extends parallel to the central axis, and wherein the hook is engaged to the hook seat pin.
6. The shale shaker of claim 5, comprising a ratchet assembly coupled to the shaft, wherein the ratchet assembly comprises:
- a gear that is configured to rotate with the shaft; and
- a pawl that is engaged with the gear, wherein the pawl is configured to allow rotation of the gear and the shaft in a first direction and is to prevent rotation of the gear and the shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
7. A screen deck for a shale shaker, the screen deck comprising:
- a screen comprising: a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side; a screen member including a plurality of openings on the top side; and a clamping bar coupled to the bottom side; and
- a screen support comprising: a plurality of first support members; and a latch assembly including a hook assembly,
- wherein the bottom side of the screen is configured to engage with the plurality of first support members of the screen support, and
- wherein the hook assembly is configured to engage with the clamping bar to pull the screen onto the screen support.
8. The screen deck of claim 7, wherein the hook assembly comprises:
- a body including a first end and a second end;
- a hook positioned at the first end, wherein the hook comprises: a bend; and a first segment extending to the bend; and
- a second segment extending from the bend to a terminal end, wherein the second segment curves away from the first end toward the second end.
9. The screen deck of claim 8, wherein the first segment, the bend, and the second segment define a recess that is configured to receive the clamping bar, wherein the recess includes an arcuate seat.
10. The screen deck of claim 9, wherein the hook assembly comprises a wear boot that covers the recess.
11. The screen deck of claim 7, wherein the latch assembly comprises:
- a shaft comprising a pair of segments coaxially aligned along a central axis;
- a pair of cams, wherein each of the pair of cams is coupled to an end of one of the pair of segments; and
- a hook seat pin extending between the pair of cams, wherein the hook seat pin extends parallel to the central axis, and wherein the hook assembly is engaged with the hook seat pin.
12. The screen deck of claim 11, comprising a ratchet assembly coupled to the shaft, wherein the ratchet assembly comprises:
- a gear that is configured to rotate with the shaft; and
- a pawl that is engaged with the gear, wherein the pawl is configured to allow rotation of the gear and the shaft in a first direction and is to prevent rotation of the gear and the shaft in a second direction that is opposite the first direction.
13. The screen deck of claim 7, wherein the plurality of first support members comprises a pair of parallel first support members,
- wherein the screen comprises a pair of parallel second support members on the bottom side,
- wherein the clamping bar extends between the pair of second support members,
- wherein the pair of first support members each have angled ends that project away from one another,
- wherein the pair of second support members have angled ends that project toward one another, and
- wherein the angled ends of the pair of first support members are coupled to the angled ends of the pair of second support members.
14. The screen deck of claim 13, wherein the angled ends of the pair of first support members are angled downward and the angled ends of the pair of second support members are angled upward.
15. A shale shaker for separating formation cuttings from a drilling fluid, the shale shaker comprising:
- a basket including a trough;
- a screen positioned within the trough, the screen including a top side and a bottom side opposite the top side;
- a clamping bar coupled to the bottom side of the screen; and
- a latch assembly including a hook assembly that is configured to engage the clamping bar to secure the screen with in the trough of the basket.
16. The shale shaker of claim 15, wherein the hook assembly comprises:
- a body including a first end and a second end; and
- a hook positioned at the first end, wherein the hook comprises: a bend; a first segment extending to the bend; and a second segment extending from the bend to a terminal end, wherein the second segment curves away from the first end toward the second end.
17. The shale shaker of claim 16, wherein the first segment, the bend, and the second segment define a recess that is configured to receive the clamping bar, wherein the recess includes an arcuate seat.
18. The shale shaker of claim 17, comprising a screen support positioned under the screen,
- wherein the screen support comprises a pair of parallel first support members,
- wherein the screen comprises a pair of parallel second support members on the bottom side,
- wherein the clamping bar extends between the pair of second support members,
- wherein the pair of first support members each have angled ends that project away from one another,
- wherein the pair of second support members have angled ends that project toward one another, and
- wherein the angled ends of the pair of first support members are coupled to the angled ends of the pair of second support members.
19. The shale shaker of claim 18, wherein the angled ends of the pair of first support members are angled downward and the angled ends of the pair of second support members are angled upward.
20. The shale shaker of claim 19, wherein the latch assembly comprises:
- a shaft comprising a pair of segments coaxially aligned along a central axis;
- a pair of cams, wherein each of the pair of cams is coupled to an end of one of the pair of segments; and
- a hook seat pin extending between the pair of cams, wherein the hook seat pin extends parallel to the central axis, and wherein the hook is engaged with the hook seat pin.
Type: Application
Filed: May 16, 2023
Publication Date: Nov 16, 2023
Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P. (Houston, TX)
Inventors: Ian Holman (Pearland, TX), Brian Whisenant (Kingwood, TX), Caleb Tubbleville (Tomball, TX)
Application Number: 18/197,783